This week, Wisconsin has once again been dealing with wildfire smoke drifting into our state from Minnesota and Canada.

Unfortunately, this is becoming a regular part of our summers.

In our neck of the woods, summer is the best time of year to enjoy the outdoors, spend time with family, and create lasting memories. But over the past few summers, wildfire smoke has become an unwelcome part of the season.

For much of this week, an Air Quality Advisory has been in effect across Wisconsin as smoke from wildfires in northern Minnesota and Canada blanketed our state. While dry conditions certainly contribute to these fires, decades of fuel buildup in overgrown forests have made them far more severe.

I have seen this firsthand through my work on the House Natural Resources Committee and as Chairman of the Federal Lands Subcommittee. Too often, in both the United States and Canada, active forest management has been sidelined by green lobby policies that lock up forests, allow dangerous fuel to accumulate, and increase the risk of larger, more destructive wildfires.

While we cannot prevent every wildfire, we can reduce their severity through responsible, science-based forest management. Healthy forests are better for our environment, protect public health, and make our communities more resilient.

Last year, I sent a letter to Canadian officials urging them to take all necessary actions to mitigate wildfire risk. This week, I joined Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) in requesting that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) review all available actions under the U.S.-Canada Air Quality Agreement to help address the ongoing wildfire smoke affecting Wisconsin.

At one point this week, Cable, Wisconsin, recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) above 500 – far worse than readings in cities such as Beijing and Delhi.

Wisconsin has long been a national leader in responsible forest management. We have shown that healthy, actively managed forests are better for our environment and our economy. It's time for our neighbors to follow that example.

Please stay safe and take extra precautions if you have respiratory or other health concerns when wildfire smoke affects our state.